The Malta International Challenge Marathon has established itself as a popular fixture on the local sports calendar. For the past 13 years, it has lured a good number of foreign runners to our shores, all eager to take part in a gruelling three-day race.

Unfortunately, the last few years had seen a drop in local participation much to the disappointment of the organisers. However, during the last 12 months, the organising team has worked hard to stop this negative trend. Results were encouraging.

For this year's race, between Friday, November 28 and Sunday, November 30, there will be 43 Maltese runners on the starting line.

A delighted Barry Whitmore, race director, said he was pleased that the marathon, with 128 entries from 13 countries so far, was finally back on the favoured list with the locals.

"It's a huge satisfaction for me seeing so many Maltese taking part," he said.

"Local participation was not really good. It was a pity for a race being held here," Whitmore said during the 2003 Challenge launching at the New Dolmen Hotel, yesterday.

"True, this race is very demanding. But, it seems that the local athletes are now attracted to our race and we have some top runners taking part as well."

Whitmore was clearly referring to Brian Magri, Drew Lang and Jonathan Balzan... three protagonists on the local road running scene.

Lang and Magri are no newcomers to the Challenge. Magri was the fastest Maltese in the last two editions while Lang was first from the locals three years ago.

Balzan will be making his first appearance. Whitmore is expecting the St Patrick's AC athlete to be among the front-runners after recovering from a niggling foot injury.

With 2003 winner Abdelghani Bahhad, of Morocco, not among the participants, the race favourite is Englishman David Mansbridge. He will be seeking to reclaim the title he last won in 2001.

There will also be five Maltese runners, Charles Darmanin, Paul Fenech, Carmel Herd, Edwin Spiteri and George Spiteri, who competed in all past editions.

In the women's race, Carmen Hili, of St Patrick's, will be looking to retain the title she won last year when covering the distance in 3:07.15. Her main challenger should be club team-mate Catherine Bonnici, runner-up to Hili last year.

The race has maintained its usual route. Athletes will cover the 11.195-km course from Mdina to Dingli and back on the first day. The second stage is a 6K in Birzebbuga.

The marathon will come to a close with the 25-km race from St Paul's Bay to Valletta.

Due to road works, athletes will approach the finish line at City Gate via Republic Street.

Minister for Tourism Francis Zammit Dimech, also present at yesterday's launching, said events such as the Challenge Marathon are needed to promote Malta even better. He said that sports infrastructure improved considerably in the last few years and it was government's duty to help in the organisation of international events.